| Mac Horvath | |
|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Rays | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: (2001-07-22)July 22, 2001 (age 23) Austin, Minnesota, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
Macauley Cole Horvath (born July 22, 2001) is an Americanprofessional baseballoutfielder in theTampa Bay Rays organization.
Born inAustin, MN, Horvath grew up in nearbyRochester. A highly-touted shortstop prospect in high school,[1] Horvath played three years forCentury High School in his hometown before transferring to play his senior season at vaunted prep schoolIMG Academy inBradenton, Florida. However, his senior season was cut short by theCOVID-19 pandemic.[2] He committed to play college baseball atNorth Carolina.
In his freshman season under first-year Tar Heel head coachScott Forbes, Horvath appeared in 46 games, starting 35.[3] With multi-year starter Danny Serretti the everyday shortstop, Horvath moved over to third base in Chapel Hill. In his freshman season, Horvath hit .227, with 5 home runs and 22 RBIs.[3][4] He played summer ball for theRochester Honkers in his hometown following the NCAA season, and hit .287 with four home runs over theNorthwoods League season.[4]
Horvath started all 63 games in which he played in his sophomore season, helping lead the2022 Tar Heels to theNCAA Super Regionals. On the season, he hit .268, with a .390 on-base percentage and a .557 slugging percentage.[4] His power numbers improved as well, as he hit 18 home runs and drove in 53 RBIs. He also showcased his speed, stealing 19 bases over the course of the 2022 season.[3] Prior to the second game of theSuper Regional againstArkansas, Horvath had to undergo emergencyappendectomy surgery and missed the game, a 4–3 walk-off loss to end the Tar Heels' season.[5]
In 2022, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theBourne Braves of theCape Cod Baseball League.[6] He was eligible for theMLB Draft, but was not chosen and returned to North Carolina.[citation needed]
Once again the Tar Heels' starting third baseman to begin the season, Horvath showed his versatility by moving into the outfield when teammate Johnny Castagnozzi, who also plays third base, returned from an injury. Castagnozzi had filled in for Horvath in the 2022 Super Regionals against Arkansas when Horvath hadappendicitis.[7] Horvath's third season in Chapel Hill proved to be his best, as he recorded aslash line of .305/.418/.711[4] in 60 games played. Like his teammateVance Honeycutt the season prior, Horvath became a member of the "20-20" club, hitting 24 home runs on the season and stealing 25 bases.[3]
Horvath was selected by theBaltimore Orioles in the 2nd round, with the 53rd overall pick, of the2023 Major League Baseball draft.[8][9] On July 17, 2023, Horvath signed with the Orioles for an under slot deal worth $1.4 million.[10] He split his first professional season between the rookie–levelFlorida Complex League Orioles, Single–ADelmarva Shorebirds, and High–AAberdeen Ironbirds.
Horvath returned to Aberdeen in 2024, playing in 71 games and batting .233/.328/.417 with nine home runs, 41 RBI, and 26 stolen bases.[11]
On July 26, 2024, Horvath,Matthew Etzel, andJackson Baumeister were traded to theTampa Bay Rays in exchange forZach Eflin and cash considerations.[12]